Gardeners Colney Hatch Service Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which our garden maintenance and gardening services are provided to residential and commercial customers. By making a booking, confirming an instruction, or allowing work to begin, you agree to these terms. They are intended to create a clear understanding of the service, the booking process, payment expectations, cancellation rights, liability limits, waste handling, and the legal framework that applies to all work carried out by Gardeners Colney Hatch.

For the avoidance of doubt, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the service provider, while “you” and “your” mean the customer, owner, tenant, managing agent, or other person authorising the work. These terms apply to all standard gardening services, including routine maintenance, pruning, planting, lawn care, hedge work, clearance, and similar outdoor tasks, unless a separate written agreement states otherwise. Any special instructions must be confirmed in writing before the job starts.

We reserve the right to update these terms from time to time. The version in force at the time your booking is accepted will normally apply to that job, unless a later written variation is agreed. If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in effect as far as the law allows.

1. Booking Process

A booking is usually made by requesting a service description, proposed date, and any relevant access details. Once we have reviewed the information provided, we may issue an estimate, quotation, or proposed schedule. A quotation is based on the information supplied at the time and may assume normal working conditions. If the site conditions differ materially from what was described, we may revise the price, timing, or scope before proceeding.

Bookings are only confirmed when we expressly accept them, whether verbally, in writing, or by electronic confirmation. No work is guaranteed until confirmation has been provided. We may decline a booking where the requested work is outside our scope, unsafe, unlawful, or impractical due to access, weather, staffing, equipment limitations, or any other reasonable cause. The customer must ensure that the site is ready for the agreed service and that all necessary permissions are in place.

You are responsible for providing accurate details about the property, the work required, known hazards, pets, protected items, underground services, and any restrictions that may affect the job. If third-party consent is needed, including consent from a landlord, managing agent, or neighbour for access or boundary-related work, you must obtain it before the appointment. We may suspend or refuse work if consent or access is not available.

2. Payments and Charges

Prices may be quoted as fixed fees, hourly rates, day rates, or as a combination depending on the nature of the work. Unless stated otherwise, all charges are exclusive of any applicable taxes or levies. Materials, disposal fees, parking costs, specialist equipment, or additional labour may be charged separately if these are required to complete the work. Where a quotation is based on estimated time or volumes, actual charges may differ if the job takes materially longer or involves extra waste or unforeseen complexity.

Payment is due in accordance with the terms stated on the quotation, invoice, or booking confirmation. In many cases, payment must be made on completion of the work, though deposits or staged payments may be required for larger projects or recurring contracts. We may ask for immediate payment where the work is completed on site, and we may withhold future bookings if previous invoices remain unpaid. Late payments may attract interest and reasonable recovery costs to the extent permitted by law.

We are entitled to pause or stop work if payment terms are not met. If you dispute any invoice, you should raise the issue promptly and provide supporting details. Undisputed amounts remain payable by the due date. Any discounts, promotions, or special rates are offered at our discretion and may be withdrawn or changed for future work without notice.

3. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Delays

If you need to cancel or reschedule, you should give us as much notice as possible. The amount of notice required may depend on the type and scale of the service. For example, a routine maintenance visit may require shorter notice than a larger clearance or pruning appointment that has been specially scheduled. If adequate notice is not provided, we may charge a cancellation fee to cover losses, reserved labour, or prepared materials.

We may also cancel or reschedule a booking due to adverse weather, unsafe conditions, staff illness, equipment failure, access problems, or events beyond our reasonable control. In such circumstances, we will aim to offer an alternative appointment where possible. We are not responsible for indirect losses resulting from a change of date, provided we act reasonably and communicate as soon as practical. Any deposit paid may be transferred to a new date where appropriate.

Where work is delayed because the site is not accessible, the customer is not available to provide instructions, utilities are unavailable where needed, or the area has not been made safe, we may charge waiting time or return visit costs. If the delay is caused by information that was inaccurate or incomplete, any additional cost arising from the delay may be added to the final invoice.

4. Service Standards and Customer Responsibilities

We will carry out the agreed work with reasonable skill and care and in line with generally accepted industry practice. However, gardening is a natural and variable service, and outcomes may differ according to season, weather, plant condition, soil quality, previous maintenance, and site-specific factors. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, we do not guarantee plant survival, regrowth rates, flowering results, or permanent removal of invasive growth.

The customer must ensure that the work area is reasonably clear and safe. This includes moving fragile items, securing pets, warning us of hidden hazards, and informing us of any health and safety concerns. You must also ensure that any water, power, or access arrangements needed for the work are available. If we believe conditions are unsafe or unsuitable, we may refuse to continue until the issue is resolved.

Where instructions are given by an authorised person, we are entitled to rely on them. If multiple people give conflicting instructions, we may pause the job until the matter is clarified. We are not responsible for losses caused by following instructions that were authorised by the customer or by someone reasonably appearing to have authority.

5. Liability and Limitations

Nothing in these terms limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law. Subject to that, we are not liable for losses that are indirect or consequential, including loss of profit, loss of enjoyment, loss of opportunity, or business interruption.

Our liability for damage to property caused by our negligence is limited to the reasonable cost of repair or replacement, taking account of wear, age, and condition. We are not responsible for pre-existing defects, weak structures, hidden pipes or cables, unstable surfaces, or damage that arises from circumstances outside our control. Where a claim is made, you must take reasonable steps to mitigate any further loss and notify us within a reasonable time.

To the extent permitted by law, our total liability for any one claim or series of related claims arising from the same event will not exceed the amount paid or payable for the specific service giving rise to the claim, unless a different limit is agreed in writing. This does not affect your statutory rights where the service has not been carried out with reasonable care and skill.

6. Waste, Green Waste, and Environmental Compliance

Garden work can generate green waste, soil, timber, packaging, and other materials. Unless stated otherwise, the handling and removal of waste will be agreed at the point of booking or during the visit if additional waste is identified. We may charge separately for loading, removal, transport, tipping, recycling, or disposal. If you request that waste be left on site, you accept responsibility for its lawful storage and disposal after we depart.

All waste must be managed in accordance with applicable UK waste regulations, including the duty to ensure that waste is transferred to an authorised carrier or facility where required. We will aim to follow environmentally responsible practices, including recycling where practical and separating reusable materials where feasible. However, not all waste can be recycled, and certain items may need to be disposed of through licensed routes. We may refuse to handle hazardous, contaminated, or restricted waste unless this has been expressly agreed in advance and can lawfully be managed.

Where a customer asks us to remove waste, the customer confirms that the waste does not contain prohibited substances, dangerous chemicals, asbestos, needles, or other regulated items unless we have specifically agreed to deal with such materials under an appropriate method statement and legal compliance arrangement. If unlawful or unsafe waste is discovered on site, we may stop the job and notify you of the issue. Any extra cost incurred because of contaminated or unexpected waste may be added to the invoice.

7. Complaints, Changes, and Termination

If you believe there is a problem with the service, you should notify us promptly and provide reasonable details of the issue. We may ask for photographs, a description of the concern, or an opportunity to inspect the work. Where appropriate, we may offer a remedy, repeat the work, or agree a fair adjustment. Complaints do not remove the obligation to pay undisputed sums by the due date.

We may amend the scope of work if you request changes after booking confirmation. Any such change may affect price, timing, and resource allocation. If a change materially increases the workload, we may provide a revised quotation before continuing. Either party may end a recurring service arrangement by giving reasonable notice, subject to any minimum term or agreed commitment.

We may immediately suspend or terminate services where there is abusive behaviour, unsafe conditions, non-payment, unlawful requests, or repeated failure to honour these terms. In such cases, we may recover reasonable costs already incurred. Termination does not affect rights and obligations that have accrued before the end of the agreement.

8. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute, claim, or matter arising out of or in connection with the services or these terms will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, except where consumer law provides otherwise. If you are a consumer, you retain any rights and remedies available to you under applicable legislation.

These terms form the full agreement between the parties regarding the services described, unless varied in writing. No waiver of any term will be effective unless clearly stated. Any delay in enforcing a right will not prevent that right from being enforced later. The headings in these terms are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.

By proceeding with a booking, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms for the provision of gardening services. The aim is to ensure a fair and transparent arrangement for every customer seeking professional support from gardeners in Colney Hatch, whether for one-off work or ongoing maintenance, while keeping responsibilities clear on both sides.